U
Idioms beginning with "U"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of U:
[up one's sleeve] or [in one's sleeve] {adv. phr.}
1. Hidden in the sleeve of one's shirt or coat and ready for secret or wrongful use.
The crooked gambler hid aces up his sleeve during the card game so that he would win.
2. {informal}
Kept […]
[up the creek] or [up the creek without a paddle] {adj. phr.}, {informal}
In trouble or difficulty and unable to do anything about it; stuck.
* /Father said that if the car ran out of gas in the middle of the desert, we would be up the creek without a […]
[up tight] or [uptight] {adj.}, {slang}, {informal}
Worried, irritated, excessively eager or anxious.
Why are you so uptight about getting that job? The more you worry, the less you'll succeed.
[up to] {prep.}
1. As far, as deep, or as high as.
The water in the pond was only up to John's knees.
Mary is small and just comes up to Bill's chest.
The shovel sank in the soft mud all the way up to the handle.
2. Close to; […]
[up to no good] {adv. phr.}
Intending to do something bad; perpetrating an illicit act.
We could tell from the look on Dennis the Menace's face that he was once again up to no good.
[up to one's ears] {adv. phr.}
Immersed in; covered with.
"Around final examination time," Professor Brown explained, "I am always up to my ears in work."
[up to one's neck] {adv. phr.}
Overwhelmed with; submerged in.
"During the summer season in our cottage by the lake," the Allens complained, "we are usually up to our necks in uninvited guests."
Compare: [UP TO ONE'S EARS].
[up to par] or {informal} [up to scratch] or {informal} [up to snuff]
1. In good or normal health or physical condition.
I have a cold and don't feel up to par.
The boxer is training for the fight but he isn't up to scratch yet.
2. or [up to […]